Hanwha Q CELLS Takes First Step in Mass Production of 'Dream Solar' Tandem Cells

Establishment of Facilities for Tandem Cell and Module Mass Production at Jincheon Plant

Hanwha Solutions Q CELLS division is set to commence mass production of perovskite-silicon based tandem cells to secure next-generation solar technology competitiveness.

Perovskite Tandem Cell Prototype Under Development by Hanwha Q CELLS

On the 16th, Hanwha Q CELLS announced that it will invest 136.5 billion KRW to establish pilot facilities for tandem cell and module mass production at its Jincheon plant in Chungbuk. Trial operations are scheduled to begin in the second half of next year. In collaboration with the Germany-based Thalheim R&D center, which currently operates a small-scale pilot production line for research and development purposes, the company plans to start full-scale tandem cell mass production in the second half of 2026.

Hanwha Q CELLS will produce tandem cell-based modules that have over 16% higher power generation efficiency compared to competitive high-efficiency products such as TOPCon and heterojunction modules. By operating tandem cell and module pilot facilities domestically, the company aims to secure automated process technology.

Known as the "dream solar cell," tandem cells are expected to be a "game changer" that will reshape the future solar market. They are made by stacking perovskite cells, a next-generation solar material, on top of existing silicon cells. The upper and lower cells complementarily absorb light from different spectral regions, maximizing power generation efficiency.

Academia estimates the theoretical efficiency limit of tandem cells to be about 44%, approximately 1.5 times that of conventional silicon single cells. In March, Hanwha Q CELLS independently manufactured a tandem cell with a maximum efficiency of 29.3%, receiving official certification from the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Lee Gu-young, CEO of Hanwha Q CELLS, stated, "The tandem cell pilot facility will be a milestone for Hanwha Q CELLS to lead technological leadership in the solar industry. Utilizing a global research network connecting Korea, the U.S., and Germany, we will embark on mass production of tandem cells with world-class quality and efficiency."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.